The deliberation over the specific mechanisms
surrounding mandatory disclosure of sleep deprivation does not nullify the requirement to disclose
this information. Adherence to the principles of
beneficence, non-maleficence, and autonomy
should not be contingent upon the creation of policies and plans to deal with the consequences of the
disclosure.

As your mother waits to speak with the surgeon and sign the consent form, you think about
the amount of sleep deprivation your colleague
has sustained. Will this fatigue cause even minor
complications? You begin to wonder what systemic
changes could make this situation more tenable for
you, your surgical colleagues, and your patients. ♦

Surgical societies have a duty to draft consensus statements
supporting and outlining the details of mandatory
disclosure. If we don’t create the process, then the terms
will be foisted upon us by a well-meaning but inexperienced
populace supported by nonsurgical groups.